National libraries of China, NZ preserve historic treasures

Experts from the National Library of China could soon be helping to preserve treasures in New Zealand's National Library under an agreement signed by the two institutions, said a statement from the National Library of New Zealand on Thursday.

The two national libraries had signed a new five-year Arrangement on Cooperation, to share knowledge and information in some joint areas of interest, according to the statement.

The arrangement covered such areas as digital library activities, including digitization of materials, digital access to information and digital preservation, as well as the protection of ancient or rare books.

"The National Library of China has one of the world's largest collections of books and manuscripts, some of them dating back thousands of years," New Zealand national librarian Bill Macnaught said in the statement.

"Their experience could be invaluable in preserving items in our billion-dollar collections, including the Alexander Turnbull Library, and it's heartening that our own expertise, particularly in digital preservation, is being sought by China."

The announcement of the signing came two days before New Zealand and China celebrate the 40th Anniversary of diplomatic relations.